TAFE student fees increase condemned

The Teachers Federation condemns the NSW government for its intention to increase TAFE fees from the start of 2008.

Maree O'Halloran, Federation President, said:

"The Minister for Education and Training, John Della Bosca, has announced across the board increases of 9% for Advanced Diploma, Diploma, Certificate and short courses. This is on top of a massive increase in the number of commercial courses being offered by TAFE and attracting exorbitant fees.

These increases cannot be justified. Last year, Dr Peter Kell, Chair of the TAFE Futures Inquiry, reported that many TAFE students were living in poverty and found great difficulty in meeting the costs of education and associated expenses of food, transport, accommodation and childcare. The NSW government is offloading the state's responsibility onto students that are already struggling.

It is not enough for the Minister to state that certain course exemptions will remain for the most disadvantaged students, such as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students and students receiving a disability benefit. That is as it should be but fees must be reined in for all students.

The Federation calls on the State and Federal governments to increase funding for TAFE."

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Last Modified: 03 Sep 2007